Character vs Musical Interp

[Pandora]

Was wondering.....

In competitive routines, do you prefer the skaters acting out a specific character (eg. Julliet, Carmen, Cleopatra etc.) or would you rather see a skater interpreting the music but not specifically acting out a specific story? (eg. Weir, Bradley).

I like the first (character), but know some other skaters/coaches who feel that competitive routines should be less "showy" and kind of look down on the acting of characters, (especially since certain pieces of music and characters have been so overused...Oh Gosh! Not another Carmen. :roll:) This coach felt that was more show skating, not competitive. What do you think?

[Ellyn]

Personally, I'm fine with either approach or a combination of both.

I'm more impressed if the interpretation of character or story and/or the expression of the music takes place with the whole body and is incorporated into the technical skating (thematic body positions, timing of highlight elements, rhythm of stroking and steps, general phrasing) throughout the program. I'm less impressed if it's all in the arms, facial expressions, and posing sections.

Here's one of the best examples of doing both, IMO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPYI8l8Fgk8

Yes, there's some posing in the middle that prompted some ridicule at the time. But leaving that aside, I think that an extraordinarily large part of the actual skating was performed in character, to the music, in a way that told a story.

[Pandora]

Wow!8O This is definitely one of the best "in character" routines I have ever seen. :bow:

Good point about combining the two....Never thought of it that way. I saw it as an either/or but yes, I agree that the best routines can combine both.

As for "in character" I've got to say Oda's Chaplin is pretty amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1H1jVcpORY You can see that he (and his choreographer/coach) put a lot of work into it....And I can see here what you mean by staying in character throughout the whole routine not just in the "posing" section. (Although I love the posing at 1:45):lol:

But my all time favorite non-exhibition in character routine is definitely Philippe Candeloro's D'Artagnan from '98. Gotta love the costume and the "fencing" footwork at 3:35. (And the 3axel combo isn't too bad, either!) 8O Check this out for "over the top" (not that Candeloro ever goes over the top. ;)

[phoenix]

If you want a masterpiece of interpretation, IMHO it doesn't get any better than this. Kurt definitely is the master of playing a character/interpreting music. To hold the tension of this music for that long--amazing! :bow::bow::bow: Yes it's a show program, but you won't find any better eligible or pro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Izl1CA1uA